Kansas City As All-Star Host: How Did We Do?

A picture of San Francisco Giants fan Matt Eichinger of York, Nebraska, attending the red carpet parade Tuesday at the Country Club Plaza.

Greg EchlinKCUR

The All-Star game is over. The National League has the home field advantage in the World Series and the New York Mets host the 2013 All-Star game.

That brings up the question: How did Kansas City fare as an All-Star city host?

Visitors React to Booing at the Game

Fans continued to be vocal toward New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano during the red carpet parade yesterday on the Country Club Plaza, less than 24 hours after Cano was relentlessly booed during the Monday night Home Run Derby.

It stirred up debate nationally, and reaction from out-of-town visitors such as Matt Eichinger of York, Nebraska.

'A little classless'

"The way they treated Robinson Cano was a little classless," said Eichinger. "I thought the booing was a little cute at first, but it went on a little long."

Eichinger isn’t biased toward any American League team. He wore a mask with a black beard that resembled Brian Wilson, the injured former All-Star closer for the San Francisco Giants. But Eichenger, who makes multiple trips to Kansas City, issued high marks to the city and the Kansas City Royals.

"They had the (Kauffman) Stadium prepared well. The (Country Club) Plaza area down there looks great. They did a good job of getting this prepared and everything else."

'Kansas City's a great town'

One might think a Yankee jersey would draw an adverse reaction. Phil Bonk, who grew up in New York and now lives in Prairie Village, wore his jersey proudly at the red carpet parade and reported no problems.

"Hey, Kansas City’s a great town," said Bonk. "You go to a Royals game here in Kansas City when they play the Yankees; it’s mostly filled with Yankee fans and the fans are great, respectful, and people are out just to have a good time."

Only Boston fans would figure to hate the Yankees worse than Royals fans.

'Strongest anti-player (response) at an exhibition'

But even Adam Macksowd, who traveled with his wife to Kansas City from East Providence, Rhode Island, was caught off-guard by the Royals fans.

"We do a lot of booing at the Yankees in Fenway Park," said Macksowd. "There’s a good rivalry there, but that was the strongest anti-player (response) at an exhibition that I’ve ever seen."

Seeing the Sights, Eating Some BBQ, Spending Time with Family

Since Adam Macksowd’s wife is a Royals fan, they’ve traveled to Kansas City before. Their biggest concern upon arrival was the heat factor.

"It dropped below the 100 degrees that we were hoping for and we’ve done all the sightseeing. We’ve done the (Truman) Presidential Library and the Home," said Macsowd. "We’ve gone to all the barbeque places that we were told to visit and it’s been fabulous."

From within the ropes of the parade route, New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey making his first appearance in Kansas City since his American League days shared his thoughts.

"For a father and a husband, the parade today was pretty special, getting to do that with my family," said Dickey.

And on the field everything went right for the National League All-Star team.

So the final word comes from Tony LaRussa, who says he put the uniform on as a manager for the last time.

"We were treated outstanding," said LaRussa. "You get stuck in traffic trying to get back and forth at the ballpark. It takes a little edge off. Everything about our stay here was about as perfect as possible."

During All-Star week, there were more than 10,000 nights booked at Kansas City hotel rooms. One could only imagine how much excitement would be generated in Kansas City by a Royals team that would be bound for the playoffs.